Effects of Hair Follicle Stem Cells on Partial-Thickness Burn Wound Healing and Tensile Strength

Authors
Azar Babakhani 1
Malihe Nobakht 1
Hamidreza Pazoki Torodi 2
Mostafa Dahmardehei 3
Paria Hashemi 2
Javad Mohajer Ansari 4
Parisa Ramhormozi 1
Abazar Yari 5
Fatemeh Heidari 6
1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Zahedan Medical University, Zahedan, Iran
4 epartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
6 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
10.29252/ibj.24.2.99
Abstract
Background: The recent improvements in wound healing have led to new strategies in regenerative medicine. Burn wound healing is an important issue in skin regeneration and has multiple indications for stem cell therapy. Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are a highly promising source of stem cells for healing use, as these cells are accessible, active and pluripotent adult stem cells. Methods: HFSCs of the rat whisker were isolated, cultured, and labeled with DiI. Flow cytometry method was used to detect special markers of HFSCs. Deep partial-thickness burn wound was created, and labeled HFSCs were injected around the wound bed. Wound closure was recorded via digital photographs. The inflicted rats were sacrificed at 3, 7, or 14 days post burn and used for subsequent histological and tensiometry analysis. Results: Our results indicated that HFSCs were positive for Nestin and CD34 markers, but negative for Kr15. Morphological and histological photographs revealed that wound closure rate was accelerated in stem cell-treated group compared with other groups. In addition, faster re-epithelialization and collagen deposition were observed. The immunohistochemical analysis suggested that CD31 expression and vascular density enhanced in the stem cell-treated group. Further, tissue tensile strength increased in HFSCs-treated rats in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that HFSC could accelerate burn wound healing as well as tensile strength in rats.
Keywords
Burn wound healing
Epithelization
Tensile strength
Wound healing